Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

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  Dont judge a book by it cover - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Dave B - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The car looks great and is fun to drive, but I was spoiled by our Volkswagen Jetta in the reliability department. The Volvo V 50 has required work since we bought it- wiring harness issues, sun roof leak that we learned will cannot be fully rectified, gas cap issues-would not pass inspection, battery issues, anti- theft-immobilizer issues. The inconvenience is one thing, but now that it is out of warranty, I worry it is going to cost us a great deal to keep it on the road. This will be the first and last Volvo for us.

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  Better than hoped! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By cirrusdriver - December 27 - 10:41 pm

  Picked up car 2 weeks ago.Already have had 1800 miles of road trips, pleasantly surprised with ride, quality of build. Took a day or two to get used to nav, phone, but easy to adjust to. Set cruise at 72 and got 32.5 mpg on a 400 mile jaunt. Nice car , great value.

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  The way it should be. - 2000 Volvo V70
  By socajh - December 26 - 10:00 am

  One professional review states that the V70 feels like its carved out of a solid block of iron. Good, but a solid block of silk is what comes to mind, not iron. This is as true as ever after two years of driving it. Comfort, ride quality, road manners, reliability, and sedan-like convenience are all tens. Performance and handling are everything they need to be, no more, no less. And the brakes are simply astounding.

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  nice, but not perfect - 2002 Volvo S40
  By marmot - December 25 - 2:00 am

  considered this car b/c of volvos reputation for safety and positive reviews. bought b/c volvo offers such good deals on demos. if not for the good deal, i wouldve bought a vw jetta with 1.8l turbo. the S40 runs and handles very well, but im often cursing the cockpit features. turbo is fun, but sucks gas. thought my next car would be an S60, but will probably look closer at passat and lexus.

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  cruising comfort - 2000 Volvo S80
  By coupedejour - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 2 years and have only done regular maintenance and oil changes. Very comfortable car, great for road trips. I would definately recomend Volvo to anyone!

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  Troubled C70 - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Randy - December 24 - 10:40 am

  I chose the C70 over an Audi due to the hardtop. I have had it in the shop seven times and 90 days since May 08 for roof issues. Fortunately none of them have been major, but a major inconvenience on my time. My biggest problem has been getting anyone from Volvo corporate to give me a call to discuss some kind of resolution.

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  I think I like this car??? - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Tlover - December 24 - 4:20 am

  Ok, so after being in a bad accident I found this car and LOVED how it drove. This car did leave me stranded on a roadtrip, which was the result of a blown transmission....that cost a fortune! Other than the tranny disaster, I must say the car has actually been a pretty great car. It rides very smooth and is freakin fast! I have smoked many Bimmers and Audis in this. Tiptronic is alot of fun. Front end assembly seems to have alot of problems too. Overall I think I still do like this car. Currently has 95k miles

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  great, but.... - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By BR - December 23 - 7:00 pm

  This is my second xc70. The first one (2003) was a lemon; I gave another try to a newer model with a dealer-backed 100k warranty. Its been great, but.... now at 75k, Ive had two sets of tie rod issues again, and Im starting to wonder how many repairs Ill be facing after 100k. The design, comfort and performance of this car are outstanding. In exchange, you will be buying a very touchy and expensive car to maintain. My advice? If you dont mind spending all your discretionary income on car repairs and $$$$maintenance, and you live near a Volvo dealer, youll love this car. If you live in big snow country like I do, its amazing!

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  S60 High maintenance - 2002 Volvo S60
  By steve - December 23 - 5:06 pm

  Did you know the Volvo dealership considers your 100K mile S60 high mileage? Once this car hits 100K, it falls apart. Transmissions will fail no matter how well you maintain it. $4500. Road noise even with high dollar tires. You can forget trying to do any of your own maintenanve. $1700 for brake pads and rortor? Good gosh. Did not realize a 5 cyl turbo could be such an underperformer either. No more Volvos for me.

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  My 4th Volvo in my stable - 2004 Volvo V70
  By nordic - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Volvo continues to deliver me a quality product. I prefer Volvos wagons but also own a C70 HT. My preference is Overseas Delivery, an area where Volvo of Lisle also excells compared with other Chicago dealers I have spoken to. AWD is a blessing in Chicagos snowy 2003 winter and I insist my wife drives the V70 AWD when driving long distance this winter. Her C70 lacks AWD. Low maintenance costs, quiet ride, comfort, roominess and, of course, safety, is why I will stay with Volvo ans why my children also drive Volvo.